Fiber optical connector

ABSTRACT

An optical fiber connector for mating with an optical fiber coupling has a housing and a U-shaped portion assembled to the housing. The housing has two clamping grooves respectively formed on upper and lower edges of each opposite lateral outer surface thereof. The U-shaped portion includes a socket frame and two side plates extending from the socket frame. The socket frame includes a shutter downwardly extending from an upper front edge thereof and made integrally in one piece. Each of the side plates has two engaging faces respectively retained in the clamping grooves and arranged on upper and lower edges thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an optical fiber connector, andparticularly relates to an optical fiber connector for light coupling.

2. Background of the Invention

With optical fiber communication developing, requirements for opticalfiber connectors are increased. Each optical fiber connector alwaysworks with an optoelectronic component, and an entrance of the opticalfiber connector must be completely enclosed to prevent dust and otherexternal objects from affecting optical signals and to protect users'eyes from light emitted by the optical fiber connector.

With respect to FIG. 1, a dust-proof bung 12 a is removable from a firstconventional optical fiber connector 1 a to mate with an optical fibercoupling. When the first conventional optical fiber connector 1 a isn'tin use, the dust-proof bung 12 a is inserted into an optical-fiberinsertion hole of the first conventional optical fiber connector 1 a,thereby to prevent dust and other external objects from affectingoptical signals. However, the dust-proof bung 12 a must be manuallyinserted and removed, and should be stored well in order to avoidgetting lost. Obviously, the dust-proof bung 12 a presents a potentialhazard of making children choked if not carefully stored. On the otherhand, if the first conventional optical fiber connector 1 a is packagedwith an electronic apparatus, this assembly requires a testing procedurebefore shipping. During the testing producer, the dust-proof bung 12 ain the packaged assembly is supposed to be removed first, the electronicapparatus is then probed to check functions and characteristics, andthen, the dust-proof bung 12 a is put back on the housing 11 a thereof.The manufacturing steps are so complex to waste time and labor.

Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, a second conventional optical fiberconnector 2 a is open by a lateral side thereof. The second conventionaloptical fiber connector 2 a includes a housing 21 a, a supporting spring23 a, and a shuttle 24 a. The supporting spring 23 a has two endsrespectively abutting against a rear surface of the shuttle 24 a and aninner side of the housing 21 a. The shuttle 24 a includes a shaft 22 aconnected to the housing 21 a by a fixed bracket, and the shaft 22 arotates freely and inwardly in order to accept an optical fiber coupling6 a. When the optical fiber coupling 6 a is removed from the secondconventional optical fiber connector 2 a, the supporting spring 23 a,which is pressed when the optical fiber coupling 6 a is inserted, willrelease its recovery force to push the shuttle 24 a back to enclose thesecond conventional optical fiber connector 2 a.

Generally speaking, the optical fiber coupling 6 a usually includes twoopposite semi-circular strips protruding from a peripheral thereof forguiding in and mating with at least one guiding groove of theconventional fiber optical connectors. The guiding groove of the secondconventional optical fiber connector 2 a is formed on a front surface ofthe shuttle 24 a, in order to guide each one of the semi-circular stripsof the optical fiber coupling 6 a. However, the shuttle 24 a connectsthe fixed bracket via the shaft 22 a in advance, and further connectsthe housing 21 a and the supporting spring 23 a via the fixed bracket.Therefore, the shuttle 24 a is not stable enough to provide a longservice life due to tolerances existed between the shuttle 24 a, theshaft 22 a, the fixed bracket and the housing 21 a. In addition, thesecond conventional optical fiber connector 2 a further includes abaffle 25 a arranged behind the shuttle 24 a to limit an insertion depthof the optical fiber coupling 6 a. Because the baffle 25 a restrictsonly single one of the two opposite semi-circular strips, the opticalfiber coupling 6 a is secured insufficiently to reduce the securecapacity of the second conventional optical fiber connector 2 a.

Illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, a third conventional optical fiberconnector 3 a is open by a topside thereof. The third conventionaloptical fiber connector 3 a includes a housing 31 a, a shaft 32 aassembled on the housing 31 a, a pair of bracket springs 33 a and ashuttle 34 a covering an entrance of the housing 31 a. Each of thebracket springs 33 a has two ends, one connects to a rear surface of theshuttle 34 a, and the other one connects an inner top surface of thehousing 31 a, so that the shuttle 34 a can rotate inwardly due to thebracket springs 33 a. The optical fiber coupling 6 a can be inserted inthe third optical fiber connector 3 a. The shuttle 34 a rotates aboutthe shaft 32 a to retain against the inner top surface of the housing 31a, when the optical fiber coupling 6 a is inserted. Then the shuttles 34a is restored back to its original status by a resilient force thereof,when the optical fiber coupling 6 a is removed.

However, the process of inserting the optical fiber coupling 6 a maydamage the shaft 32 a because the shaft 32 a endures the weight of theshuttle 34 a. To avoid such damages, the shaft 32 a should be made ofmetallic materials, which is stronger and accordingly more expensivethan the prior art. The metallic shaft 32 a has a spring 33 apenetrating through the topside thereof to connect the shuttle 34 a.Thus, the third conventional optical fiber connector 3 a fails to reducecosts and manufacturing steps.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth conventional optical fiber connector 4 a that isopen by a topside thereof. The fourth conventional optical fiberconnector 4 a includes a housing 41 a, a spring plate 43, and a shuttle44 a having a shaft 42 a. The fourth conventional optical fiberconnector 4 a has a shortcoming, like the third conventional opticalfiber connector 3 a, to be overcome. The shaft 42 a cannot endure theload, and the service life of the fourth conventional optical fiberconnector 4 a decreases thereby.

Referring to FIG. 5, a fifth conventional optical fiber connector 5 a isopen by a bottom side thereof. The fifth conventional optical fiberconnector 5 a includes a housing 51 a and a shuttle 54 a extendingdownwardly from the housing 51 a. The shuttle 54 a is made of resilientmaterial, in order to bend inwardly. The shuttle 54 a can rotate due tothe insertion of the optical fiber coupling 6 a, and release a resilientforce to return when the optical fiber coupling 6 a is removed. Thehousing 51 a, as a usual type, has a guiding recess formed on an innerbottom surface in advance; the shuttle 54 a encloses an entrance and theguiding recess of the housing 51 a simultaneously. For ease to guide theoptical fiber coupling 6 a, the shuttle 54 a includes a substitutionguiding recess formed on a front surface to replace the guiding recessthe housing 51 a. The substitution guiding recess extends from a bottomend to approach a top end of the shuttle 54 a, but fails to reach a rearend of the housing 51. Because the shuttle 54 a is movable relative tothe housing 5 a, and only the substitution guiding recess of the shuttle54 is provided to guide the optical fiber coupling 6 a, the connectionbetween the optical fiber coupling 6 a and the conventional opticalfiber connector 5 a lacks stability and accuracy. Furthermore, theresilient shuttle 54 a is bent with such frequency to lose flexibility,so that the shuttle 54 a eventually cannot recover.

Moreover, the third, the fourth, and the fifth conventional opticalfiber connector 3 a, 4 a, 5 a cannot restrict the insertion depth of theoptical fiber coupling 6 a, and this may results in the optical fibercoupling 6 a rubbing against and scraping a surface of theoptoelectronic component, so as to reduce or affect the optical signaltherefrom.

Hence, an improvement over the prior art is required to overcome thedisadvantages thereof.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is therefore to specify an opticalfiber connector that has a rotatable capacity with a durable and simplestructure, in order to avoid complicated assembly steps, to prevent thechoking hazard for children, to improve a testing efficiency, and toreduce the cost thereof.

The secondary object of the invention is therefore to specify an opticalfiber connector to prevent dust and external objects.

The third object of the invention is therefore to specify an opticalfiber connector with an idiot-proof design for accurate assembly.

The fourth object of the invention is therefore to specify an opticalfiber connector to restrict an insertion depth of a fiber opticalcoupling, when the fiber optical coupling inserts into the optical fiberconnector.

The fifth object of the invention is therefore to specify an opticalfiber connector to improve an alignment between the fiber opticalcoupling and an optoelectronic component that is disposed in the opticalfiber connector.

According to the invention, these objects are achieved by an opticalfiber connector for matting with a fiber optical coupling. The opticalfiber connector includes a housing and a U-shaped portion assembled tothe housing. The housing has two clamping grooves arranged on upper andlower edges of each opposite lateral outer surface thereof,respectively. The U-shaped portion includes a socket frame and two sideplates connecting the socket frame. The socket frame includes a shutterdownwardly extending from an upper front edge thereof. Each of the sideplates has two respective engaging faces correspondingly engaging with arespective one of the clamping grooves, and arranged on upper and loweredges thereof.

To provide a further understanding of the invention, the followingdetailed description illustrates embodiments and examples of theinvention. Examples of the more important features of the invention thushave been summarized rather broadly in order that the detaileddescription thereof that follows may be better understood, and in orderthat the contributions to the art may be appreciated. There are, ofcourse, additional features of the invention that will be describedhereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appendedhereto.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the presentinvention will become better understood with regard to the followingdescription, appended claims, and accompanying drawings where:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view according to an application a firstconventional optical fiber connector;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second conventional optical fiberconnector;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view according to an application of the secondconventional optical fiber connector;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a third conventional optical fiberconnector;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view according to an application of the thirdconventional optical fiber connector;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a fourth conventional optical fiberconnector;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a fifth conventional optical fiberconnector;

FIG. 6A is a front view of an optical fiber connector according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6B is a top view of the optical fiber connector according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 6C is a side view of the optical fiber connector according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 7A is a front view of a housing according to the present invention;

FIG. 7B is a top view of the housing of according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 7C is a side view of the housing of according to the presentinvention;

FIG. 8A is a front view of a U-shaped portion of according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 8B is a top view of the U-shaped portion of according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 8C is a side view of the U-shaped portion of according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 9A is a front view of the U-shaped portion according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9B is a front view of the U-shaped portion according to anotherembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an optical fiber connector according tothe present invention, when the housing is assembled with the U-shapedportion;

FIG. 11A is a perspective view of the optical fiber connector accordingto the present invention, before an optical fiber coupling insertsthereinto;

FIG. 11B is a perspective view of the optical fiber connector accordingto the present invention, during the optical fiber coupling insertsthereinto; and.

FIG. 11C is a perspective view of the optical fiber connector accordingto the present invention, after the optical fiber coupling insertsthereinto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides an optical fiber connector that mateswith an optical fiber coupling, and the optical fiber connector utilizesa U-shaped portion assembled to a housing thereof. The housing has twoclamping grooves respectively arranged on upper and lower edges of eachopposite lateral outer surface thereof, in order to engage with two sideplates to connect to a socket frame of the U-shaped portion. TheU-shaped portion includes a shutter downwardly extending from an upperfront edge thereof. The housing and the U-shaped portion combine as theoptical fiber connector with a dust-proof plate. The structure of thepresent invention is accordingly simple and durably, easy to assembleand to test, so as to increase assembly and testing efficiencies andreduce the costs. The present invention further avoids a choking hazardfor children, which might happen in the first conventional optical fiberconnector 1 a that is made with two pieces.

Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, the present invention provides an opticalfiber connector 7 that mates with an optical fiber coupling 6(illustrated in FIG. 11A). The optical fiber connector 7 includes ahousing 71 and a U-shaped portion 72 assembled to the housing 71. InFIG. 11A, the optical fiber coupling 6 includes a plug 61, twosemi-circular strips protruding two opposite lateral sides of the plug61, top and bottom tenons 63, 64 respectively protruding from top andbottom surfaces of the plug 61, and an insertion head 62 arranged on afront end of the plug 61.

With respect to FIGS. 7A to 7C, the housing 71 includes a base 711, tworear furrows 7121 formed along an insertion direction on two oppositelateral inner surfaces 712 of the base 711. The two rear furrows 7121respectively relates to the two semi-circular strips. The housing 71further includes two clamping grooves 7131 respectively arranged onupper and lower edges of each opposite lateral outer surface 713 of thebase 711.

With respect to FIGS. 8A to 8C, the U-shaped portion 72 includes asocket frame 721, and two side plates 722 extending from two sides ofthe socket frame 721. The socket frame 721 includes two front furrows7211 formed on two opposite lateral inner surfaces of the socket frame721 along the insertion direction, and a shutter 723 downwardlyextending from an upper front edge thereof. The shutter 723 is made fromthe U-shaped portion 72 integrally in one piece. Each of the side plates722 has two engaging faces 7221 respectively retaining in a respectiveone of the clamping grooves 7131 and formed on upper and lower edgesthereof. The two front furrows 7211 communicate with the two rearfurrows 7121, respectively. Referring to FIG. 10, the U-shaped portion72 assembles to the housing 71. Therefore, the U-shaped portion 72simply and durably connects to the housing 7 is achieved.

With respect to FIGS. 6C, 7C and 8C, the housing 71 includes twoembosses 714 respectively disposed on rear portions of the two outersurfaces 713 of the base 711. The U-shaped portion 72 includes twoinverted T-shaped tails 727, the inverted T-shaped tails 727respectively connect rear portions of the two side plates 722 and engagewith the two embosses 714 of the base 711 correspondingly.

In FIGS. 6C, 7B, 7C, 8B, 8C, and 10, each of the inverted T-shaped tails727 includes a horizontal slender head 7271, two lateral guidinginclined surfaces 7272 formed on two opposite lateral sides of thehorizontal slender head 7271, and a head inclined surface 7273 arrangedon a heading edge of the horizontal slender head 7271. Whereby theinverted T-shaped tails 7271 slidably inserts into the clamping grooves7131 respectively along the insertion direction, so that the U-shapedportion 72 assembles to the housing 71. Each of the embosses 714 has awedge cross-sectional profile of a narrow front and a wide rearrelatively, so as to allow the horizontal slender head 7271 of arespective one of the inverted T-shaped tails 727 slide from the narrowfront towards and to clamp with the wide rear.

Referring to FIG. 11B, the two rear furrows 7121 of the housing 71 andthe two front furrows 7211 of the U-shaped portion 72 both correspondwith the two semi-circular strips of the optical fiber coupling 6 forguiding the optical fiber coupling 6.

With respect to FIG. 8C, the U-shaped portion 72 has an indentation 7231arranged on a rear surface of the shutter 723, the indentation 7231 isadjacent to a joint between the socket frame 721 and the shutter 723, soas to allow the shutter 723 rotate backwards.

As shown in FIG. 8A, the socket frame 721 has a cutout 724 formed fromthe upper front edge to communicate with a recess 725 that is concavedon the shutter 723. The cutout 724 defines a predetermined recesseddepth same as that of the recess 725, the optical fiber connectordefines a predetermined length “d” that extends from the cutout of thesocket frame to the recess of the shutter. In FIG. 11B, the cutout 724mates with the top tenon 63 of the optical fiber coupling 6 to allow theoptical fiber coupling 6 slide in. In FIG. 11C, the top tenon 63 of theoptical fiber coupling 6 can be moved from the cutout 724 forward therecess 725 along the insertion direction. Thus, the recess 725 with thepredetermined recessed depth following the cutout 24 as a continuousguide, and the recess 725 with the predetermined length “d” furthercontrols an insertion depth of the optical fiber coupling 6.

In FIG. 8A, the U-shaped portion 72 has two sliding faces 728respectively arranged on two opposite lower inner corners of the socketframe 721 for guiding the optical fiber coupling 6. The optical fibercoupling 6 has two relative faces (not shown) mating with the twosliding faces 728, and an idiot-proofing function is provided thereby toavoid any disassembly of the U-shaped portion 72.

In FIG. 8C, the socket frame 721 has a sliding recess 726 that inwardlyextends a predetermined distance “b” from a lower front edge, thepredetermined distance “b” is formed to relate to the bottom tenon 64 ofthe optical fiber coupling 6. The socket frame 721 has a guidinginclined face 7261 arranged on a rear portion thereof, shown in FIG.11C. Thus, the bottom tenon 64 slides smoothly by the guiding inclinedface 7261 to mate with the bottom of the socket frame 721, when theoptical fiber coupling 6 inserts into the optical fiber connector 7.

With respect to FIGS. 9A and 9B, the U-shaped portion 72 is integrallymade in one piece via a resilient material. The U-shaped portion 72 hasa cambered protrusion 7231 arranged on the front surface of the shutter723, the cambered protrusion 7231 is adjacent to the joint between thesocket frame 721 and the shutter 723 for adjusting a resilient forcethereof. The resilient force is determined in proportion to size andlocation of the cambered protrusion 7231.

The present invention is characterized by:

-   -   1. The present invention provides the shutter 723 to enclose an        entrance of the socket frame 721 for keeping out dust and        external objects.    -   2. The present invention provides the recess 725 and the sliding        recess 726 to restrict insertion depths of the top and the        bottom tenons 63, 64 of the optical fiber coupling 6,        respectively.    -   3. The present invention provides the two rear furrows 7121 and        the two front furrows 7211 together to guide the two        semi-circular strips of the optical fiber coupling 6. The cutout        724 and the sliding recess 726 respectively guide the top and        the bottom tenon 63, 64 of the optical fiber coupling 6 for an        accurate alignment between the optical fiber coupling 6 and an        optoelectronic component disposed in the optical fiber connector        7.    -   4. The present invention provides that the two clamping grooves        7131 respectively engages with the engaging faces 7221 of the        two side plates 722 and the T-shaped tails 727 engages with the        embosses 714, in order to provide an completely engagement.    -   5. The present invention provides that the two sliding faces 728        of the socket frame 721 and the bottom of the optical fiber        coupling 6 restrict each other for avoiding disassembly of the        U-shaped portion 72.

It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the abovedescription is only illustrative of specific embodiments and examples ofthe invention. The invention should therefore cover variousmodifications and variations made to the herein-described structure andoperations of the invention, provided they fall within the scope of theinvention as defined in the following appended claims.

1. An optical fiber connector for mating with an optical fiber coupling,the optical fiber coupling includes a plug, two semi-circular stripsprotruding from two opposite lateral sides of the plug, top and bottomtenons respectively protruding from top and bottom surfaces of the plug,and an insertion head, arranged on a front end of the plug; and theoptical fiber connector comprising: a housing having a base, two rearfurrows formed on two opposite lateral inner surfaces of the basesemi-circular, and two clamping grooves respectively formed on upper andlower edges of each outer surface of the base; and a U-shaped portionconnecting with the housing, and the U-shaped portion including a socketframe and two side plates extending from two sides of the socket frame;wherein the socket frame includes two front furrows formed on twoopposite lateral inner surfaces thereof, and a shutter downwardlyextending from an upper front edge thereof; wherein each of the two sideplates has two engaging faces respectively retained in a respective oneof the clamping grooves and formed on upper and lower edges thereof, andthe two front furrows respectively communicate with the two rearfurrows, respectively.
 2. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim1, wherein the U-shaped portion is integrally made in one piece via aresilient material.
 3. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 1,wherein the socket frame has a cutout formed from the upper front edgeto communicate with a recess that is concaved on the shutter, the cutoutdefines a predetermined recessed depth same as that of the recess, theoptical fiber connector defines a predetermined length that extends fromthe cutout of the socket frame to the recess of the shutter.
 4. Theoptical fiber connector claimed as claim 1, wherein the socket frame hasa sliding recess formed from a lower front edge thereof inwardly toextend with a predetermined distance, the sliding recess relates to thebottom tenon of the plug.
 5. The optical fiber connector claimed asclaim 4, wherein the socket frame has a guiding inclined face formed ona rear portion thereof.
 6. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim1, wherein the U-shaped portion has an indentation arranged on a rearsurface of the shutter, the indentation is adjacent to a joint betweenthe socket frame and the shutter to allow the shutter rotate backwards.7. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 1, wherein the U-shapedportion has a cambered protrusion arranged on a front surface of theshutter, the cambered protrusion is adjacent to a joint between thesocket frame and the shutter for adjusting a resilient force thereof,and the resilient force is determined in proportion to size and locationof the cambered protrusion.
 8. The optical fiber connector claimed asclaim 1, wherein the base includes two embosses respectively disposed onrear portions of the two outer surfaces, and the U-shaped portionincludes two inverted T-shaped tails respectively connecting to rearportions of the two side plates to correspondingly engage with the twoembosses of the base.
 9. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 8,wherein each of the two inverted T-shaped tails includes a horizontalslender head, two lateral guiding inclined surfaces formed on twoopposite lateral sides of the horizontal slender head, and a headinclined surface arranged on a heading edge of the horizontal slenderhead, whereby the inverted T-shaped tails slidably inserts into theclamping grooves respectively, so that the U-shaped portion assembles tothe housing.
 10. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 8, whereineach of the embosses has a wedge cross-sectional profile of a narrowfront and a wide rear relatively, so as to allow each of the twoinverted T-shaped tails slide from the narrow front towards and to clampwith the wide rear.
 11. An optical fiber connector for mating with anoptical fiber coupling, comprising: a housing; and a U-shaped portionconnecting with the housing; wherein the housing has two clampinggrooves respectively arranged on upper and lower edges of each oppositelateral outer surface thereof; wherein the U-shaped portion includes asocket frame and two side plates extending from two sides of the socketframe; the socket frame includes a shutter downwardly extending from anupper front edge thereof, and each side plates has two engaging facesrespectively retained in a respective one of the clamping grooves andarranged on upper and lower edges thereof.
 12. The optical fiberconnector claimed as claim 11, wherein the U-shaped portion isintegrally made in one piece via a resilient material.
 13. The opticalfiber connector claimed as claim 11, wherein the socket frame has acutout formed from the upper front edge to communicate with a recessthat is concaved on the shutter, and the cutout defines a predeterminedrecessed depth same as that of the recess, the optical fiber connectordefines a predetermined length that extends from the cutout of thesocket frame to the recess of the shutter.
 14. The optical fiberconnector claimed as claim 11, wherein the socket frame has a slidingrecess formed from a lower front edge thereof inwardly to extend with apredetermined distance, the sliding recess relates to a bottom tenon ofthe optical fiber coupling.
 15. The optical fiber connector claimed asclaim 14, wherein the socket frame has a guiding inclined face formed ona rear portion thereof.
 16. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim11, wherein the U-shaped portion has an indentation arranged on a rearsurface of the shutter, the indentation is adjacent to a joint betweenthe socket frame and the shutter for the shutter rotating backwards. 17.The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 11, wherein the U-shapedportion has a cambered protrusion arranged on a front surface of theshutter, the cambered protrusion is adjacent to a joint between thesocket frame and the shutter for adjusting a resilient force thereof,the resilient force is determined in proportion to size and location ofthe cambered protrusion.
 18. The optical fiber connector claimed asclaim 11, wherein the base includes two embosses respectively disposedon rear portions of the two outer surfaces, and the U-shaped portionincludes two inverted T-shaped tails respectively connecting rearportions of the two side plates to correspondingly engage with the twoembosses of the base.
 19. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim18, wherein each of the inverted T-shaped tails includes a horizontalslender head, two lateral guiding inclined surfaces formed on twoopposite lateral sides of the horizontal slender head, and a headinclined surface arranged on t a heading edge of the horizontal slenderhead, whereby the inverted T-shaped tails slidably inserts into theclamping grooves-respectively, so that the U-shaped portion assembles tothe housing.
 20. The optical fiber connector claimed as claim 18,wherein each of the embosses has a wedge cross-sectional profile of anarrow front and a wide rear relatively, so as to allow the each of thetwo inverted T-shaped tails slide from the narrow front towards and toclamp with the wide rear.